A little old German town

Whenever people ask me what’s my favorite place I’ve been to, I always come up blank. I mean, how can I possibly choose?! I imagine it’s like asking a mother to choose a favorite child.. and now instead of picking a favorite city, I have to pick the city that takes up the most residence in my heart – my beloved Heidelberg.. a little town on the Neckar River in southwestern Germany.

Walking down the streets, I often look up admiring beautiful architecture and plants growing up the walls to the very top, making each house look like a piece of art—an idyllic, picturesque.. a city where everyone knows everyone and where charm and history is in abundance. 

Dear Heidelberg,

I have never told you how much I love you, but oh dear, have I shown you!

During the few days I have spent around your streets and neighborhoods, I felt some sense of belonging. For some reasons I felt like I’m home even though I don’t speak your language and I don’t look like your people.. a sense that made me insanely attached to you.. emotionally attached in a very beautiful way.

I loved your winter and I’m amazed by your spring.

I have travelled to so many cities yet, you among all have stolen my heart..

But most importantly, you have given me the feeling of being home.

And for that, I will always be grateful.

From the day I left, this city has never left my heart and I know it is there waiting for my return.

Basima

I Miss Canada

Usually I don’t like to look back unless to see how far I’ve come. It’s been a little bit over two years now since I left Canada. I miss it so much. My life there wasn’t rosy all the time, it had its ups and downs.. hardships and struggles. The road was chaotic at times, filled with detours and rain and loss of direction. But I consider myself extremely fortunate

Last night I thought about it. I thought about all the things that used to worry me so much that no longer now consume my mind and heart.

About all the things I never thought I’d accomplish but I did. About all the things that shook up my roots, my certainties and my fears.

About how I built a new existence far away from anything I knew or thought I knew.

About the feeling that I’d give anything to go back to that place to my comfort zone even if it were just for an instant.

About all the smallest trifles that used to overwhelm me with homesickness. A food, a song, a smell and all other little things I never thought I’d miss.

About being caught between two cultures and the feeling that I had two versions of myself. Two SIM cards, two IDs, two bank accounts, two places I called home, two languages and perhaps two identities.

About the butterflies-in-my-stomach feeling I got whenever I board a plane heading East.

About all the beautiful souls I made friends with & now become my across-the-globe family.

About all the loved ones who left so soon without me getting the chance to say goodbye one last time.

About all the beautiful celebrations I wasn’t able attend & being the missing person in most of the family photos.

It was an amazing journey that taught me more about life, love and fear than any books I’ve read. I look back now & I realize that all these things are worthy of being grateful for & beautiful reminder that no matter what I go through, I’ll always be able to make it if I only remain patient and work hard.

B:)

Princess: More Tears To Cry

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Dec 2017

Looking back at books I have read in the last few years. Princess: More Tears To Cry by Jean Sasson was one of the few books that made me cry at times for all these women mentioned in the book. Once again I find myself drawn to Princess Sultana Al Saud’s story just as I was in Princess: A Life Behind the Veil In Saudi Arabia.

Read it, you may come close to tears you too.

                                               B